ABOUT US

LOCATION

The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden is situated about 4km North of the Harare City Centre within the suburb of Alexandra Park.  It is easily accessed from either Fifth Street or Sam Nujoma Street.

 

 

Postal Address

National Herbarium and Botanic Garden
P O Box A889
Avondale
Harare
ZIMBABWE
Tel:    263 – 4 – 744170/ 725313/ 708938/ 745320/2
Fax:        263 – 4 – 708938/ 704543
E-mail:  srgh@mweb.co.zw

 

 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

 The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden is a center for research and information on the indigenous plants of Zimbabwe.  It s responsible for the study of Zimbabwe flora in order to promote its conservation, development and sustainable use.  Its mission is To Increase Knowledge and Appreciation of Zimbabwean Plants.  It fulfills this mission by looking after the plant specimens that are the essential resource material required in studying plant characters in order to arrive at their identity and names.  The National Herbarium stores preserved plant specimens while the living specimens are grown in the National Botanic Garden. 

The institute has three interlinked sections:

i.          The Herbarium

ii.         The Botanic Garden

iii.       The Education Centre

 

The Herbarium has about 500 000 plant specimens.  It is the main reference center for research on identifying and naming plants of the Flora Zambesiaca Region.  This region comprises Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana  and the Caprivi.

The Botanic Garden grows over 900 trees and shrubs of Zimbabwe in groups to show the associations that are found in various parts of the country.  It has sections with trees of the Highveld, Lowveld and Eastern Highlands.  Also growing are a number of trees from other countries that have climatic conditions similar to Zimbabwe e.g. Asia and Australia.

The Education Centre disseminates information on the plants of Zimbabwe and the plant kingdom in general to educational institutions especially schools.

 

The aims and objectives of the National Herbarium and Botanic Garden can be summarised as follows:  

i. To conserve, enhance and curate Zimbabwe’s principal collection of  botanical specimens for national and international reference and study.
ii.   To do scientific research and documentation on Zimbabwean plants and plant communities based on the herbarium collection and field surveys
iii. To provide botanical services to Government Departments, NGOs, students, researchers and the public.
iv. To provide a focal point for the international network of herbaria, in order to facilitate research on the flora of Zimbabwe and the region by national and international researchers.
v. To provide a pleasant and peaceful environment in which the Harare community can enjoy activities that are compatible with Botanic Garden management.
vi.  To raise revenue that will help in the development and maintenance of the National Herbarium and Botanic Garden.          

ADMINISTRATION

The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden is administered by the Division of Agricultural Research and Extension (AREX),  in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, in conjunction with the Botanic Garden Fund Committee.  The latter is a Board of Trustees who are appointed by the Minister of Agriculture.  Their main role is to compliment government efforts in the running of the institute by raising funds.

Botanic Garden Fund Committee

Chairman:  Dr R.M. Mupawose
Members:  Dr D.F. Lovemore
  Dr L. Mhlanga
  Prof S. Feresu
  Mr M.L. Pearce
  Dr T. Muller
  Mr R.B. Drummond
  Dr S.S. Mlambo
  Ms N. Nobanda
  Mr S. Shava
  Miss E. Makombe

   

FRIENDS OF THE BOTANIC GARDEN

There are three categories of membership:

i)     Benefactors -           $10 000
ii)    Life Members  -           $  5 000
iii)   Ordinary Members -           $     300 

Membership entitles one to a reduction on the annual entry ticket

Daily Entrance Fees:

Parking             :           $60

Adult                :           $40

Child                :           $20

Dog                  :           $20

 

There is also a $5 fee at the toilet door.

*NOTE:  All pre-booked educational visits by school groups are free.

 

SERVICES

The staff of the National Herbarium and Botanic Garden undertake research and provide services in various plant-related disciplines like; Plant Taxonomy, Plant Ecology, Ethnobotany, Vegetation Surveys, Environmental Impact Assessment, Plant Identification, Environmental Education and Gardening.  Some of this work results in publications.

 

PUBLICATIONS

These are some of the current publications:

i)          Kirkia – The Zimbabwe Journal of Botany Volume 17 Part 2. \

ii)        A checklist of Zimbabwean Vernacular Plant Names 2nd Edition by Ezekiel G. Kwembeya and Ratidzayi Takawira.

iii)        Tales of Indigenous Trees of Zimbabwe by Soul Shava. 

iv)        Traditional Food Plants (1) Wild Leafy Vegetables by Soul Shava. 

v)         Traditional Food Plants (2) Wild Fruits by Soul Shava. 

vi)        National Herbarium and Botanic Garden Annual Reports – 1998 – 2001. 

vii)        Zimbabwe’s National Botanic Garden – Map and Guide. 

viii)       A pack of four paintings by Sue Williams (29cm x 33cm)

·        Podranea brycei – Zimbabwe creeper

·        Gloriosa superba – Flame lily

·        Bauhinia variegata – Butterfly leaf

·        Brunfelsia calycina – Yesterday-today and tomorrow 

ix)        A pack of two paintings by Sue Williams (53cm x 42cm)

·        Spathodea campanulata – African Flame tree

·        Bombax ceiba – Red silk-cotton tree

The following publications are in the making: 

i)      Kirkia – The Zimbabwe Journal of Botany Volume 18 Part 1 

ii)     A Checklist of Grasses of Zimbabwe by Christopher Chapano 

iii)    A Checklist of Vascular Plants of Zimbabwe by Anthony Mapaura 

iv)    The Threatened Plants of Zimbabwe by Anthony Mapaura 

v)     The Aquatic Plants of Zimbabwe by Christopher Chapano 

vi)    A Checklist of the Bryophytes of Zimbabwe by Phelex Manyanga 

vii)   Plants of Chimanimani District by Ezekeil  G. Kwembeya 

viii)      Plants of Zimbabwe – Report No. 1 by Nozipo Nobanda 

ix)       The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden by David Jones

 

REGIONAL PROJECTS 

The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden is involved in the following regional projects. 

i)            SABONET

ii)           SECOSUD

iii)          Miombo Ecoregion Conservation Programme

i).  SABONET

What is SABONET?

The Southern African Botanical Diversity Network (SABONET) is a project involving 10 Southern African botanical institutions. 

The main objective of SABONET is to develop a strong core of professional botanists, taxonomists, horticulturists and plant diversity specialists within the ten countries of Southern Africa – Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

SABONET is funded by the Global Environment Facilities (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  It is co-financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) / World Conservation Union – Regional Office for Southern Africa (IUCN-ROSA).

 For more information on SABONET visit the SABONET website   http://www.sabonet.org

How does the project function?

The project is guided by a Steering Committee (S.S.C.), comprising representatives from the ten participating countries, and the donor agencies.  For Zimbabwe, The Head of National Herbarium and Botanic Garden sits on the SABONET Steering Committee (SSC) which meets usually twice per year.  She also chairs the SABONET National Working Group which comprises the following organizations: 

In Zimbabwe, the SABONET programme has focused on building human and institutional capacity at the National Herbarium and Botanic Garden.  It has funded the employment of staff to compliment the government establishment.  In addition, it has financed formal and in-service training of staff.  The table below gives a summary of the training benefits for Zimbabweans from 1996 to July 2002.      

      

Number of Recipients

Training Course

  4

 MSc in Plant Systematics

  5

  Herbarium Management and Plant Conservation

 11

  Grass Identification

4

  Cycad Identification

  1

  Pteridophyte Identification and Botanical Nomenclature

  1

  Aquatic Plants Identification

  7

  Precis Database Management

  4

  Red Data List

  3

  Miombo Woodland

  8

  Environmental Impact Assessment

  2

  Herbarium Management

  3

  Botanic Garden Management

  6

  Horticulture

 

ii).  SECOSUD

SECOSUD stands for A Service for Environmental Conservation of Biodiversity and for Sustainable Development. 

General Objective

To contribute to the CBD, develop strategies for biodiversity conservation and facilitate sustainable utilization of economically useful plant resources in the SADC Region. 

Specific Objective

The project aims at introducing GIS to herbaria of the SADC Region. 

Participating Institutions

These are the same countries and institutions as for the SABONET programme including Tanzania.

Funding

The Italian Government through the Department of Biology at the University of Trieste funds SECOSUD. 

 For more information on SECOSUD visit the SECOSUD website:  http://www.f.stcu.org

 

iii).  MIOMBO ECOREGION CONSERVATION PROGRAMME

The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden is presently the Interim National Focal Point for the WWF Miombo Ecoregion Conservation Programme which covers 3.6million square kilometers across 11 countries of Southern Africa.  The countries are: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and

The aim of this programme is to contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity and functional ecosystems for the benefit of people and nature in the region.

 

NEWS

 

The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden produces at least two newsletters a year.  Below is the latest newsletter. 

BOTANIC GARDEN NEWS

APRIL 2002

 Dear    Friend of the Botanic Garden

          ---------------------------------

Greetings to you in this eventful New Year.  It is my hope that you continue to visit the Botanic Garden for walks, meals at the restaurant and general relaxation.  We have worked hard to see that the Botanic Garden continues to provide an easily accessible and soothing environment during these most difficult times.  The schools are increasing their numbers and visits to the education center. 

Thanks for your support, which saw us complete the fencing project and enjoy the present improved security and the accompanying spin offs.  The tea bushes from Southdown Estates continue to add beauty. 

As anticipated last year, the Beit Trust grant for repairing the National Herbarium roof was able to cover painting of the building and to improve the main entrance.  This was a very welcome gesture and it has improved the décor.  Do not hesitate to use the herbarium, it is one of the best in the region. 

Due to rising costs related to the maintenance of the Botanic Garden, we were left with no choice but to review entry fees.  The new fees, which will come into effect on 1 May 2002 will soon be advertised in the newspapers and around the Garden.  The fee for parking will be $60 while entrance for the adult and child will be $40 and $20 respectively.  Dog entry was also raised to $20. 

We will regularly keep you informed of developments. 

Once again many thanks for your positive response to my July newsletter.  I hope you will continue to have the National Botanic Garden in your support agenda.  We also accept a once off donation. 

May I advise you that we hold beautiful reprints of tree paintings donated by Mrs Sue Williams, the wife of the previous British High Commissioner. They are on sale at the Institute Offices – prices range from $3 000 to $ 4 000.  They would grace your offices, Board Rooms and homes. 

Yours faithfully

Dr Robbie M. Mupawose                                 Ms N. Nobanda

Chairman                                                          Head of Institute

Botanic Garden Fund Committee                      National Herbarium and Botanic Garden

 
OTHER FACILITIES

i)  The Botanic Garden Restaurant / Teahouse

This is open daily from 0730 hours to 1800 hours.

 

 

  

 

ii)  Auditorium

This open-air-under-thatch building is hired out for meetings and workshops

 

 

 

 

iii) Venue for Photography / Films

The Botanic Garden is a popular spot for wedding photos, especially around the lake.  It is also used by a number of companies in the shooting of films and adverts.

 

iv) The Desert House

In this house are plants from the dry areas of Southern Africa.

 

 

 

 

v)   Mazowe Botanic Reserve

This is a 48-hactare outstation of the National Herbarium and Botanic Garden.  It is  located some 30km North of Harare in Christonbank Township.  It provides a good example of the vegetation of the highveld (miombo).  The Reserve has over 300 plant species representing about 70 families.

 

  

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